Kazakhstan's Tax Crackdown: Businesses Under Pressure

Tax Authorities Increase Pressure on Businesses in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is witnessing increased pressure from tax authorities on businesses, according to Aiman Balakeshova, head of the BK Audit accounting firm. In a recent interview, Balakeshova expressed concerns about the misuse of preliminary decisions on tax audits, stating, "Tax authorities are already abusing preliminary decisions on conducting tax audits." This practice, she says, mirrors past issues where Article 19 was exploited to challenge business deals, resulting in the failure of over 90% of affected businesses. Balakeshova advocates for a shift towards a more service-oriented approach, focusing on preventative measures like chamber control and voluntary compliance, rather than punitive actions. She stated, "Instead of immediately fining, blocking accounts, and depriving businesses of their property, we need to strengthen preventive measures." The interview highlights the need for a more constructive dialogue between tax authorities and businesses in Kazakhstan. Balakeshova's expertise adds credibility to her concerns, making this a timely and important topic for a news report.